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MLB Picks

MLB Picks for Rockies vs. Dodgers: Lucrative Odds on Upset

The Dodgers have a chance at the sweep when they take on the Rockies this afternoon, and the MLB odds suggest that's a likely a outcome. Our MLB odds preview is inside.

Odds Overview
The Dodgers are firm -175 favorites on the MLB odds board, though some sportsbooks have a line of -180 available. That means you can back Colorado at right around +165. The total is currently listed at an even eight runs.

Los Angeles Dodgers (McCarthy)
We are seeing how important pitching can be, as the Dodgers have ridden their top two starts en route to wins in each of the first two games of this series. Clayton Kershaw overpowered the Rockies on Friday and Zack Greinke followed that up with a nice outing of his own. Meanwhile, the Dodgers offense has been having success against Colorado's lackluster rotation.

Greinke gave up five hits and three runs (with three strikeouts and one walk) over 6 and 2/3 innings in yesterday's win. Adrian Gonzalez had another impactful day at the plate, accounting for three RBI (he's now up to 14 on the year), while Yasiel Puig and Howie Kendrick also delivered.

Brandon McCarthy will get the call in today's finale at Dodger Stadium. He has not enjoyed his first couple of 2015 starts, as he's already allowed nine earned runs this season. Fortunately he's gotten enough run support to avoid having a losing decision. McCarthy will need to find his groove early in this meeting with Colorado, as we know what those Rockies bats are capable of when they get going.

Colorado Rockies (Butler)
Pitching has let Colorado down so far in the series, so it'll be up to Eddie Butler to turn things around and in turn hopefully give the Rockies a win they've been searching for in Los Angeles. The Rockies have gotten outscored 13-6 so far in this series, with the batting order unable to generate enough offense against strong arms like Kershaw and Greinke.

DJ LeMathieu had one of the very few highlights in yesterday's loss, as he hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, which at least caused some Greinke discomfort. Maybe the Colorado offense will find more succcess against McCarthy, who hasn't looked nearly as comfortable as the top two guys in the Dodgers rotation.

Eddie Butler will be on the mound for the Rockies and has had a quality start to his 2015 campaign. He allowed two runs in his debut and then pitched five scoreless innings in a road win over the Giants. Yes, he walked six batters and only struck out one, but Butler escaped any major fires and was able to make the pitches he needed to when it mattered. The right hander faces another very tough test again today, particularly since Adrian Gonzalez and company have been swinging such a hot bat.

MLB Pick
We were on the Dodgers yesterday and they came through with a 6-3 win, which means they've taken each of the first two games of this series so far. Will they be earning the sweep this afternoon?

We're not so sure. Fresh off two straight wins, Los Angeles is once again priced as a hefty favorite, but we're not as confident in the team's chances in this spot. Butler has shown good things early on in this season, whereas McCarthy has struggled, and we look at this being a favorable spot for the Rockies to close out with a victory.

Assuming Butler can keep his cool and produce some solid innings, we like Colorado's chances of a win and therefore like them at this appealing price. Back the Rockies with your MLB picks expecting them to avoid the sweep in sunny LA today.